Day Trips & Excursions in Quito

Discover Ecuador's vibrant cultural heritage, natural wonders, and Andean villages on this full-day tour from Quito. Admire traditional handicrafts at the legendary Otavalo Market, tour the Cayambe biscuit factory, visit the leather capital of Cotacachi, and marvel at Cuicocha Crater Lake. Lunch is included.

Explore the rugged surroundings and stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park and Cotopaxi Volcano during this 8-hour day trip. Enjoy a short hike into the Limpiopungo Valley before driving ever-higher into this sky-high region, stopping at the 15,800-foot (4830-meter) Padre Rivas Refuge. If you're feeling up for it, you'll continue to the 16,500-foot (5,050-meter) Cotopaxi Glacier. This Cotopaxi day trip also includes national park fees, a guide, bottled water, round-trip hotel transport and an optional trip upgrade with lunch.

Enjoy a Quito Day Trip of pampering and relaxation on a private tour of Papallacta Thermal Center and Spa Tour. Relax in your private ride as you wind through the Amazon jungle towards the quiet retreat center. Upon arrival, take a dip in thermal pools and choose from a diverse list of optional spa service or outdoor activities to round out your day of indulgence.

Journey to the majestic Quilotoa lagoon, exploring local Andean communities on the way, during this 10-hour day trip from Quito. Discover Ecuador like a local as you visit a range of indigenous communities en route to this famous lagoon. Depending on the day you might visit a local market or sit down and chat with a local Andean family. Then enjoy a 2-hour hiking trek to Quilotoa, eventually reaching the stunning body of water inside the crater of this now-dormant volcano. Your trip also includes a guide, lunch and round-trip transport from Quito.

Cover the highlights of Quito, including the Middle of the World (Mitad del Mundo), the Intiñan Museum, and the Pululahua Crater, on this double-decker bus tour. During the full day, you'll learn about the landmarks and popular attractions in Quito from your guide and enjoy VIP access to all of the attractions in the Middle of the World Complex.

Get a closer look at indigenous Ecuadorian culture on this private full-day tour. Explore the regions north of Quito and visit the extensive Otavalo Market, the biggest indigenous market in South America, where you can peruse the stalls and purchase local handicrafts. Then head to the Cotacachi Volcano and its crater lake and take in the beautiful rural landscapes before heading back to Quito.

Spend the day exploring some of Ecuador's top attractions with this popular tour from Quito. Follow your expert local guide to Nanegalito, where you'll savor the region's unique and bold flavors. Visit the Museum of Tulipe, sip coffee at the Reserve of Bellavista and trek through the lush landscapes, then make a stop at the Middle of the World Museum on the equator.

Journey to the beautiful Quilotoa volcano, driving through stunning mountain scenery and stopping to visit local Andean communities, during this 9-hour day trip. Travel along the spectacular 'Avenue of Volcanoes' passing beneath its towering peaks, eventually stopping at a village of the Paramos community, where you'll explore a local home and learn about their daily life. Finish your day with a trip to the lagoon inside Quilotoa volcano and a mule-riding adventure near its beautiful crater. This Quilotoa day trip includes a guide, entrance fees, round-trip hotel transport and an optional lunch upgrade.

Get a taste for the indigenous culture and amazing scenery of Ecuador during this 10-hour trip covering variety of cultural and natural sights. Stop at a viewpoint with views of Cayambe and Cotopaxi, then check out the 'Mitad del Mundo' monument located directly on the earth's equator. You'll also explore Cuicocha Crater Lake, visit a local biscuit factory and go shopping at the indigenous markets at Otavalo and Cotacachi. This Ecuador sightseeing trip also includes lunch, a guide and round-trip transport from Quito.

This full-day tour of the Mindo Cloud Forest from Quito, Ecuador is designed to combine nature and adventure in one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. Explore the Mindo-Nambillo Ecological Reserve looking for birds in the wild and at hummingbird feeders in Mindo town. Choose a zipline adventure (extra cost) or a jungle hike to a waterfall, then relax with lunch and more birds or butterflies.

Tick off two of Ecuador's top attractions in one day during a full-day tour of Pululahua crater and the Middle of the World Monument (Mitad del Mundo) from Quito. Ascend to a lookout point above Pululahua crater, one of only two inhabited craters in the world, and spend the day exploring the Middle of the World Monument (Mitad del Mundo) complex, where the North and South Hemispheres collide. Your tour also includes access to the planetarium and the Equatorial Museum.

Spend the day touring some of Quito's top attractions and experience the thrill of enjoying extreme activities during this full-day option that's perfect for first-time visitors. Straddle two hemispheres at the Middle of the World, volunteer for experiments at Intiñan Museum, then soar over jungle canopies and scenic landscapes on a Tarzan Swing in one of the surrounding valleys.

Spend eight hours exploring the Cloud Forest of Quito, visiting a local cacao farm and sampling handmade chocolates on this memorable tour from Quito. Take a leisurely hike through scenic landscapes, make a stop at the World Museum in Quito and sample freshly brewed local coffee at Bella Vista.

Get a sense for the architecture, history and culture of Quito during this 9-hour trip visiting the city's top sights. Start with an exploration of the historic city center of this Ecuadorian capital, visiting its main Basilica, Independence Plaza and many more colonial-era sites. Then take a trip aboard the Telef erico to a peak more than 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) above the city for sublime views, finishing your day at 'Mitad del Mundo,' a monument marking where the earth's equator splits the world into north and south. This Quito city trip includes entrance fees at select attractions, a guide and round-trip hotel transport.

Spend the day exploring the stunning natural landscapes of Ecuador on this full-day Quilotoa Lake hiking tour from Quito. Your expert guide will lead you through tropical forests to one of the area's most beautiful lagoons. Make stops at a quiet village and local markets as part of this incredible day away from the city.

Immerse yourself in the wild terrain of Ecuador's Cotopaxi National Park during this 8-hour combination biking and hiking excursion. Journey through the surreal volcanic landscape and grassy highlands in Cotopaxi to begin a hike to the 15,780-foot (4,810-meter) Jorge Rivas Refuge. You'll also have a chance to admire the park's glaciers amidst the sky-high environs of Limpiopungo Lagoon at 16,400 feet (5,000 meters). Finish your day with a thrilling (optional) downhill bike ride and lunch before returning to Quito. Your Cotopaxi adventure includes national park fees, breakfast and lunch and cycling equipment.

Experience the incredible geography and scenery of Ecuador during this full-day trip covering Pululahua National Park and the country's 'Middle of the World' equator monument. Start your excursion by straddling both the north and south hemispheres at the 'Mitad del Mundo' site marking the earth's equator. Then head to Pululahua, a geo-botanical reserve inside a dormant volcano where you can observe more than 50 species of exotic plants and more than 20 different types of animals. This trip also covers a guide, activities, entrance fees, bottled water, round-trip hotel transport and an optional lunch.

Escape the city on this memorable adventure that includes stops at two of Ecuador's incredible volcanoes. Enjoy an exciting 3-hour horseback ride across the Pululahua Crater and head to the Mital del Mundo complex located at the equator. Learn the history of local tribes and how they cultivate the volcanic land. This thrilling outdoor excursion is perfect for first time visitors looking to make the most of their time in Quito. Upgrade your tour an indulge in lunch with panoramic views over the valley and cloud forest. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

This roundtrip hiking & biking tour of Cotopaxi National Park from Quito has everything you're looking for in a memorable South American adventure. Drive down the Pan-American Highway through the Avenue of the Volcanoes to reach Cotopaxi National Park for sweeping views and an Andean-style breakfast. Discover unique geology, flora and fauna with a hike to Limpiopungo Lake, then gear up and cruise downhill on a mountain bike through volcanic landscapes.

Don't let limited time in Ecuador stop you visiting the majestic Quilotoa Lagoon, an emerald crater lake surrounded by mountain landscapes. Reach the natural wonder the easy way on this full-day tour from Quito, ideal for nature lovers. Stop at a traditional craft market before arriving in Quilotoa National Park and opting to hike or ride a mule (own expense) to the rim of the dormant volcano. Lunch and transfers are included.